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Reviewed by Kimberly Lisagor

In 1998, when the Ponçon family purchased the 2,500-acre Nicaraguan farm where Morgan's Rock now stands, the land was occupied by squatters who were cutting down old-growth trees, stealing eggs from nesting sea turtles, and generally living in a way that threatened the sustainability of the rainforest.

Now many of those individuals are on the lodge's payroll, working to protect the very wildlife they used to exploit. The turtles are thriving, more than a million hardwood and

In 1998, when the Ponçon family purchased the 2,500-acre Nicaraguan farm where Morgan's Rock now stands, the land was occupied by squatters who were cutting down old-growth trees, stealing eggs from nesting sea turtles, and generally living in a way that threatened the sustainability of the rainforest.

Now many of those individuals are on the lodge's payroll, working to protect the very wildlife they used to exploit. The turtles are thriving, more than a million hardwood and fruit trees have been planted, and the forest now boasts a wildlife density that rivals that of a nearby national park.

That transformation exemplifies the family's model approach to ecotourism: sustainability means enhancing the community as well as the environment. It also helps explain the lodge's overwhelming popularity among travelersthe owners bring just as much passion to their hospitality efforts as they do to conservation.

This gorgeous eco-lodge on Nicaragua's Pacific coast contains 15 private bungalows that are connected to a main lodge by a sturdy, 360-foot suspension bridge. The cabins were artfully crafted from responsibly harvested almond, mahogany, cedar, and other local woods, and the sparse furnishings offer just enough comfort to meet your needs (king-size bed, sofa, writing desk, hammock) without cluttering the spacious, screen-covered enclosure. And they were built into the hillside, with the decks facing west, so you can watch the sun melt into the Pacific.

Shower water is solar-heated; used water flows to a bio filter, where it is treated and used for irrigation. Wood scraps from the lodge's construction have been repurposed as pathways, bridge material, and furniture (all made by local artisans). Many of the ingredients used in the creative, French/Asian/Latin American dishes are produced onsite, from the fruit and eggs on the breakfast plate to the brown sugar in the dessert.

In fact, you can supervise the journey from farm to table on a "Breakfast at the Farm" tour: milk the cows, gather the eggs, stroll through the citrus plantations, and eat the fruits (literally) of your labor. Other activities include horseback riding, fishing, surfing, nighttime walks through the forest, sunrise kayaking in the estuary, and natural-history hikes.

And then there are the two tours that get to the heart of the Morgan's Rock experience: planting a tree in the hacienda's dry forest reserve; and waking up before dawn to watch the turtles. If you time it right, you'll see the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, witness the hatching, or watch the babies take their first steps in the sand (sea turtles usually arrive between August and November to lay their eggs, which hatch approximately 45 to 60 days later). In doing so, you'll have the rarest of human experiences in natureknowing that your presence here is helping them survive.

Morgans Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge is more than just a hotel or luxury resort. It is a unique and natural haven for the true traveler who is looking for a touch of luxury while enjoying the adventure and excitement of an exotic and tropical destination. But most importantly,it is a project of nature conservation, community development and reforestation offering Agro and Ecotourism at its best. Enjoy the solitary companionship of one of Nicaraguas most beautiful beaches while slipping back into your spacious private bungalow overlooking Pacific sunsets and tropical wildlife. Remind yourself how to play with time while working with nature.

Expert
Review of Morgans Rock Hotel

Beach Review of Morgans Rock Hotel

Bungalows 13, 14, and 15 are a steep climb up a staircasefrom the restaurant and beach; if you prefer accommodations that are easier to access, ask for bungalows 3, 4, or 5.

Located on 4,400 acres of private rainforest, Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge offers guests a high-end eco- and agro-tourism experience. Fifteen bungalows sit high above a white sand beach, each built from tropical woods that have been responsibly logged or grown on a tree farm. All bungalows are open air but screened in, allowing guests to feel as if they are truly outdoors (some even have live trees growing in the middle of them). Along the same lines, each bungalow has an outdoor shower as
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Located on 4,400 acres of private rainforest, Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge offers guests a high-end eco- and agro-tourism experience. Fifteen bungalows sit high above a white sand beach, each built from tropical woods that have been responsibly logged or grown on a tree farm. All bungalows are open air but screened in, allowing guests to feel as if they are truly outdoors (some even have live trees growing in the middle of them). Along the same lines, each bungalow has an outdoor shower as well as a private deck with a swing bed--perfect for watching the sunset over the Pacific. Meals are taken at Morgan Rock's restaurant, a palapa-roofed dining room located across an impressive 110-meter suspension bridge. The menu consists of Central American, South American, French, and Asian delicacies; most of the ingredients are organically grown or raised on the property. Morgan's Rock also offers a wide array of guided eco-tours: kayaking in the estuary, hiking in the rainforest and along the riverbed, hands-on visits to Morgan's Rock's farm, viewing baby sea turtles, and shadowing a local fisherman for a day--just to name a few. Traditional activities--surfing, diving, snorkeling, sportfishing--also are offered. And for those who prefer sitting back and relaxing, Morgan's Rock beach comes complete with thatch-roofed shelters, comfy lounge chairs, and lots of privacy. Staff will even provide guests with a cooler filled with drinks and snacks so that they can enjoy the surf and sun to the fullest.
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